The holiday season is the perfect time to bond with family and make sweet memories, and what better way to do that than by baking Christmas cookies together with your kiddies?
Whether you’re looking for easy recipes to make with little hands or fun designs to get creative with, these 7 Christmas cookie recipes will delight your kids and make your holiday season extra special.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
Nothing says Christmas like a tray of colorful sugar cookies. This classic recipe is simple enough for kids to help with and offers endless opportunities for creativity. Let them roll out the dough, cut out festive shapes like stars, trees, or candy canes, and decorate with icing, sprinkles, and colored sugars.
Ingredients:
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp cream of tartar
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, then add egg and vanilla extract.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients and gradually add to the wet mixture.
4. Roll out dough and cut into fun shapes.
5. Bake for 8–10 minutes, then let cool before decorating.
2. Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread cookies are a holiday staple, and kids will love getting involved in the rolling, cutting, and decorating process. You can create gingerbread men, houses, or simply use cookie cutters to create fun shapes. Don’t forget the royal icing to add the final festive touch!
Ingredients:
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup molasses
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the dry ingredients together in one bowl and set aside.
3. In another bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the egg and molasses.
4. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients to form dough.
5. Roll out dough, cut into shapes, and bake for 8-10 minutes.
6. Let cool and decorate with icing, sprinkles, or candy.
3. Snowman Sugar Cookies
These adorable snowman cookies are sure to bring a smile to your kids’ faces. Using sugar cookie dough and simple decorations like candy eyes, mini marshmallows for buttons, and orange icing for carrot noses, your kids can have fun creating their own snowman masterpieces.
Ingredients: (Same as Classic Sugar Cookies)
Instructions:
1. Roll dough into small balls and slightly flatten to form the body and head of the snowman.
2. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then cool.
3. Decorate with candy eyes, marshmallow buttons, and an orange icing nose.
4. Peppermint Bark Cookies
Peppermint bark is a holiday favorite, and when combined with chocolate cookies, it creates the ultimate Christmas treat. These cookies are perfect for kids who love chocolate and peppermint. The crushed candy cane topping adds a fun crunch and a festive touch.
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup crushed peppermint candy canes
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar, then add the egg and vanilla.
3. In another bowl, mix the dry ingredients and add them to the wet mixture.
4. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
5. Roll dough into balls, bake for 8-10 minutes, then cool.
6. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy canes over the cookies while they’re still soft.
5. Reindeer Cookie Pops
These reindeer cookie pops are a fun and interactive way to get kids involved in cookie decorating. Simply make chocolate chip cookies, insert sticks, and decorate to look like adorable reindeer with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and a red M&M nose.
Ingredients:
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• Pretzels, M&Ms, and candy eyes for decorating
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs and vanilla.
3. Add dry ingredients and mix, then fold in chocolate chips.
4. Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes.
5. Once baked, allow cookies to cool slightly before inserting sticks and decorating with pretzels for antlers, candy eyes, and M&Ms for noses.
6. Christmas Tree Brownie Bites
These brownie bites are perfect for kids who love fudgy treats. You can bake mini brownies and turn them into little Christmas trees with green icing, sprinkles, and a small candy star on top. It’s a great no-bake option for a quick holiday treat!
Ingredients:
• 1 box brownie mix (or homemade brownie recipe)
• Green buttercream icing
• Sprinkles, mini marshmallows, and candy stars for decorating
Instructions:
1. Bake the brownies according to the package directions and let them cool.
2. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out mini brownie bites.
3. Pipe green icing onto each bite to resemble Christmas trees.
4. Decorate with sprinkles, mini marshmallows for snow, and a candy star on top.
7. Candy Cane Kiss Cookies
These cookies are a great way to incorporate the festive flavor of candy canes and chocolate. The sweet combination of a soft sugar cookie base and a chocolatey Hershey’s Kiss on top is sure to be a hit with kids.
Ingredients:
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 24 Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cream together butter and sugar, then add egg and vanilla.
3. Mix in the dry ingredients to form dough.
4. Roll dough into small balls and place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then press a Candy Cane Kiss into the center of each cookie while still warm.
To Wrap Up…
Christmas cookies are more than just treats—they’re a chance to create lasting memories with your kids while indulging in sweet, festive flavors. From classic sugar cookies to reindeer pops and peppermint bark, these 7 recipes will bring smiles to faces of all ages. So gather your little bakers, get your ingredients ready, and start creating delicious holiday magic in the kitchen this season!
